LC1. TITLE AND CONSTITUTION

(a) The 1st team competition shall be called the allroundercricket.com Oddfellows Cup and shall be contested by all clubs not playing in the Premiership. The second teams shall compete in the allroundercricket.com Earnshaw Cup.

(b) In the The Oddfellows Cup, Rule C1 (b) shall apply, excluding the exception of Rule L8 (m) i.e. there will be no fielding further fielding restrictions in the first 15 overs of the match, and except as provided below.

LC2. DRAWS AND TIES

LC3. PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

(a) All players who are registered by midnight on the Friday prior to the start of the season shall be eligible to play in the Competition during that season without restriction, with the exception of a Test cricketer playing at First Class level or a contracted County cricketer who has played in the County Championship during the current season, who shall be subject to the provisions of Rule LC3 (b).

(b) A player registered after the start of the season, or a Test or County player as defined in Rule LC3 (a) whenever registered, shall also be eligible provided that, during the season, he has played for his club in the qualifying number of matches, specified below, or appeared on a TMRF for an abandoned match in accordance with Rule L8 (t), prior to the scheduled date of the round in which he plays. Qualifying matches are defined as League, Sykes Cup, Paddock Shield or League Cup matches.

1. In the first round - one prior match played 2. In the second round - two prior matches played. 3. In third round - three prior matches played. 4. In the semi-final - four prior matches played. 5. In the final â€“ five prior matches played.

(c) No player shall play for both his clubâ€™s teams in the same or corresponding rounds of the Oddfellows Cup and Earnshaw Cup competitions, nor shall any player play for more than one club in the competitions during the same season.

(d) If the First Team are not scheduled to play , for whatever reason, in the current round of the Oddfellows Cup competition, no player shall be eligible to play in that round of the Earnshaw Cup, if he has played in the designated number of 1st team matches for his club, or appeared on a TMRF for an abandoned match in accordance with Rule L8t), during the season to date, as specified below: (1st team match is defined as a Championship or Conference League match, Sykes Cup match or Oddfellows Cup match).

1. In the first round - more than two matches. 2) In the second round - more than three matches. 3) In the third round - more than four matches. 4) In the semi-final - more than five matches. 5) In the final - more than seven matches.

(e) Any team playing an ineligible player shall forfeit the tie and be fined Â£20.

LC4. MATCH PROCEDURES

(b) With the exception of the Semi-Finals and Final all games shall start as per the following rules:

(c)

i) The first team competition shall be to a maximum of 50 overs per side and no bowler shall bowl more than 10 overs.

ii) The second team competition shall be to a maximum of 45 overs per side and no bowler shall bowl more than 9 overs.

iii) Where the number of overs is reduced by adverse weather, the maximum number of overs permitted per bowler shall be reduced on a pro rata basis.

(d) The first, second and third rounds shall be completed on the date originally scheduled. Where adverse weather intervenes the following shall apply.

1. If the start of the game is delayed the number of overs shall be reduced by one over per side for every six minutes of playing time lost.

2. If play is interrupted during the first innings the formula in LC4 (d)1 shall determine the number of reduced overs to be bowled by each side to a minimum of 20 overs at which time the innings is complete. If it is not possible to bowl 20 overs in the first innings when using this formula then the game shall be abandoned.

3. Should the start be delayed by the loss of 3 hours of playing time, (2.5 hours Earnshaw Cup) then a 20 overs per side game shall be played providing conditions allow, otherwise the game shall be abandoned. If play is interrupted during the first innings of such a 20 overs game and the total interruptions exceed 30 minutes, then the game shall be abandoned. Tea may be taken up to three hours after the scheduled start time (2.5 hours Earnshaw Cup) to allow for the latest start to be 4.30pm (4.00pm Earnshaw Cup).

4. Where the interruption occurs in the second innings of any game no overs shall be deducted. If it is not possible to complete the innings then the result shall be determined as follows.

5. If at least 5 overs have been completed the winning side shall be the one with the greater number of runs scored from the equivalent number of completed overs bowled at the point where the game was abandoned. Where less than 5 overs have been bowled the game shall be deemed as void.

(e) Where no result has been possible, the result shall be achieved by means of a bowl out under the following conditions:

Bowl Out Procedure

1. The umpires shall arrange a suitable site and oversee the bowl out.

2. The captains shall nominate their five bowlers and the order of bowling. They must then inform each other and the umpires prior to the toss. In the event of injury during the bowl out, the injured player may be replaced by another bowler, but not one of the previously nominated five.

3. The captains shall toss a coin for the right to decide which team bowls first in the bowl out.

4. Wicketkeepers must stand at least 5yards behind the stumps.

5. Each delivery should be fair and must pitch in front of popping crease.

6. If a bowler bowls a â€˜wideâ€™ or a â€˜no ballâ€™ it will count as a miss with no re-bowl permitted.

7. The umpires must take up positions as in a normal game. The umpire at square leg will be responsible for ruling on the bounce of the ball.

8. All bowlers, except the one who is next to deliver, must take up a position by the square leg umpire. All other players must be clear of the playing area, and as instructed by the umpires.

9. The nominated bowlers from each side will then bowl one delivery over-arm. This will be done alternatively following the order of bowling as given before. A dislodged bail will constitute a hit.

10. The side which bowls down the wicket most times shall be the winner.

11. If the scores are level after all 5 players have bowled, the 'bowl out' will continue until a result is achieved on a 'sudden death' basis using the same 5 bowlers in the same order.

Where the scores are tied at the end of the normal game, or through abandonment, the winners shall be the team who has lost the least number of wickets. Note that injured or absent players are wickets lost only in the case of a team being all out or declaring their innings closed. If both teams have lost the same number of wickets the winners will be decided by a 'bowl out', organised by the umpires and using the procedure above.

If in exceptional circumstances, the umpires deem it impractical to conduct a bowl out the winner shall be decided by the team who has scored the most runs after 5 overs, (15 overs for semi-final and final), and if necessary subsequent overs. If teams can not be separated by this method, the winner shall be achieved by the toss of a coin.

(f) Where there has been no play and a bowl out is not possible, then a result shall be achieved by the toss of a coin.

LC5. FINAL & SEMI-FINALS

In both the Semi-Finals and Final, there shall be no reduction in overs. Oddfellows Cup match procedures shall be as Rule C4 with the exception of part (d). Earnshaw Cup match procedures shall be as Rule S1 (b) except for Rule LC4 (c)ii. The Final shall be played at the ground of one of the finalists, to be decided by the toss of a coin, although no club shall be allowed to have home advantage in both finals.

LC6. UMPIRES

For all ties, standard League all inclusive expenses shall be paid to each umpire. Where no play is possible, and a result is achieved by a bowl out or the toss of a coin, the fee shall be as per L10 c)3). For ties prior to the final these costs shall be shared equally between the competing clubs. In any extended ties additional travelling expenses shall be paid for each further day that they are in attendance. The Executive shall be responsible for all costs in the final.